In Louisiana, the IRS rule is simple: for your car donation to count as a tax deduction for this year, the pickup must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on December 31. With Bayou Rides Exchange, your vehicle is towed free, the title is handled correctly, and Heritage for the Blind sends you an IRS‑ready tax receipt. We run pickups Monday–Saturday, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and in most Louisiana metro areas can get to you the same day or next day when you contact us before early afternoon. To safely lock in a December 31 pickup window, call or submit the form by December 27–28.
Bayou Rides Exchange is built for Louisiana donors. Whether you’re in New Orleans (Lakeview, Gentilly, Algiers), Baton Rouge (Mid City, Shenandoah, Gardere), Lafayette, Shreveport–Bossier, Lake Charles, Monroe, Houma–Thibodaux, or anywhere along the I‑10 or I‑20 corridors, we’ll arrange a fast pickup that fits your schedule. Your car, truck, SUV, or boat doesn’t have to run and needs no inspection or repairs—just a signed Louisiana title. Start now with a 2‑minute form or quick phone call and turn your unused vehicle into support for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind.
Your year-end donation timeline
1. Start your donation (2 minutes)
2 minutesComplete our simple online form or call Bayou Rides Exchange. Have your vehicle location (e.g., Metairie driveway, Baton Rouge office lot), basic condition, and contact info ready. We’ll immediately review year‑end availability for your Louisiana ZIP.
2. Lock in your pickup date
5 minutesOur scheduling team confirms your preferred day and time window, Monday–Saturday. Around Christmas week, call by December 27–28 to guarantee a December 31 slot in most Louisiana metro areas. We’ll email or text your confirmation details.
3. Prepare your signed Louisiana title
5–10 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives, sign your Louisiana vehicle title where indicated for the seller. If you’re unsure, we’ll walk you through the exact spots to sign so the donation is valid for the IRS and your ownership responsibility ends.
4. Free pickup anywhere in Louisiana
30–60 minutes at pickupOn pickup day, our driver meets you at home, work, or a shop—whether that’s in Uptown New Orleans, Prairieville, Slidell, Alexandria, or a rural parish. The tow is always free, even if the car doesn’t run, is damaged, or has flat tires.
5. Get your IRS tax receipt
Within 30 days of saleHeritage for the Blind handles the sale of your donated vehicle and mails you a written acknowledgment and IRS‑ready documentation, typically within 30 days of the sale. You’ll use this paperwork when you itemize your deduction at tax time.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 controls the tax year
For IRS purposes, the key date is when your vehicle is actually donated—meaning when we pick it up with a signed title. If pickup happens by December 31, you can claim the deduction for that tax year; January pickups count for the next year.
How your deduction amount is set
In most cases, your deduction equals the gross sale price Heritage for the Blind receives for your vehicle. If the vehicle is sold, you generally deduct that sale amount, not a price guide estimate. We report this amount to you on IRS‑accepted forms.
Form 1098‑C for larger deductions
When your vehicle sells above the IRS reporting threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098‑C (or equivalent statement) showing the sale price and charity details. You’ll use this form to support any deduction claims over the reportable level.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on your federal return using Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. If you don’t itemize, the donation still helps charity, but you won’t receive a tax deduction.
30‑day acknowledgment timeline
After your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you a written acknowledgment, usually within 30 days of the sale. This document lists key details about your donation and is what you should keep with your tax records for IRS substantiation.